You have to visit Furong Town at least once to see a real-life fairyland
You have to visit Furong Town at least once✨ to see a real-life fairyland
"The wind of Xiangxi, the rain of Xiangxi, the landscape of Xiangxi is a wonder of the world." Hidden among the mountains and waters of Xiangxi lies a thousand-year-old ancient town—Furong Town. Here, waterfalls flow through the town, winding bluestone paths twist and turn, and Tujia stilted buildings stack layer upon layer. When night falls, the lights twinkle like a real-life fairyland, each scene breathtakingly beautiful. This guide will immerse you in the charm of Furong Town!
🏯 Attractions
1. Furong Town Waterfall: The iconic landmark of Furong Town, the waterfall is 60 meters high and 40 meters wide, cascading down the cliff in two tiers with tremendous momentum, like an inverted Milky Way. Walking along the plank road beside the waterfall, you can experience the magical feeling of the "Water Curtain Cave," with cool mist refreshing your face and dispelling the summer heat. At night, the lights illuminate the waterfall in colorful hues, beautifully complementing the surrounding stilted buildings—truly magnificent.
2. Wuli Stone Slab Street: This ancient street is paved with bluestone slabs worn smooth by thousands of years, each stone telling a story of history. On both sides are rustic Tujia stilted buildings and various specialty shops where you can buy traditional Tujia handicrafts and taste authentic Xiangxi cuisine. The movie "Furong Town" was also filmed here.
3. Tusi Palace (Babu Hall): Once the summer villa of the Tusi king, the architecture features distinctive Tujia style with flying eaves and intricate brackets, grand and imposing. From the palace’s viewing platform, you can overlook the entire Furong Town and the magnificent waterfall—an excellent spot for photos and check-ins.
4. Xizhou Bronze Pillar: With a history of over a thousand years, it is engraved with the history and culture of the Tujia people and is an important artifact for studying Tujia history. It is now a nationally protected cultural relic.
🍱 Food Recommendations
1. Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu: A must-try delicacy in Furong Town, smooth in texture and served with a special sauce that is sour and spicy, leaving a lasting impression. There are many rice tofu shops in the ancient town, each with its unique flavor—try several to find your favorite.
2. Xiangxi Cured Meat: Golden brown in color, firm in texture, fatty but not greasy, with a distinctive smoky aroma. Delicious whether stir-fried or steamed directly.
3. Artemisia Cake: Made from fresh artemisia and glutinous rice flour, with a crispy exterior and soft, sweet filling, emitting a faint artemisia fragrance. It is one of the local specialty snacks.
4. Sour Soup Fish: Fresh fish cooked on the spot in a sour and spicy broth, with tender and flavorful meat that is very appetizing. It can be paired with a special Xiangxi dipping sauce for a unique taste.
🚗 Transportation Guide
1. High-speed Rail: Take the high-speed train to "Furong Town Station," then a taxi ride of about 5-10 minutes to the scenic area, costing around 15-25 yuan. This is the most convenient way.
2. Self-driving: Navigate to "Furong Town Tourist Service Center" or "Furong Town Scenic Area Tianze Parking Lot." The scenic area has paid parking, suitable for travelers who prefer flexible schedules and independent planning.
3. Bus: Direct buses are available from Changsha, Jishou, Zhangjiajie, and other places. Economical but may take longer.
🏠 Accommodation Suggestions
1. Riverside Waterfall View Rooms: Recommended are Tuwang Palace·Babu Hall and Yanyu Pavilion, where you can see the waterfall right from your window with unbeatable views. You can enjoy the magnificent waterfall and the ancient town’s stunning night scenery from your room. Perfect for couples, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking a unique experience. Prices are around 680 yuan per night.
2. Ancient Town Specialty Inns: Such as Tianquan Inn and Furong Qingju Inn, located in the town center for convenient travel. They allow you to better immerse yourself in the ancient town atmosphere and experience the charm of Tujia stilted buildings. Suitable for most travelers, with peak season prices above 350 yuan per night.
3. Budget-friendly: Youth hostels or hotels outside the scenic area offer affordable prices and good value, suitable for budget-conscious backpackers and students, with prices ranging from 100 to 300 yuan per night.
❗ Notes
1. The ancient town mainly has stone slab roads and many stairs, so it is recommended to wear comfortable, non-slip sports shoes for easy walking.
2. In summer, there is a lot of mist near the waterfall, and temperatures drop in the evening, so bring a light jacket. Also, mosquitoes are common in summer, so bring insect repellent to avoid bites.
3. Mountain weather is changeable, so carry rain gear. If you want to take beautiful photos, don’t forget a power bank to avoid running out of phone battery.
4. When buying local specialties, choose reputable shops to avoid counterfeit products. Before taking photos in ethnic costumes, be sure to clarify all fees to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Furong Town, a place full of poetry and romance, whether strolling along the ancient stone slab street, admiring the majestic waterfall, or tasting authentic local cuisine, will let you feel its unique charm. Take advantage of the perfect time and embark on a spontaneous trip to this real-life fairyland appointment💕
It's worth a visit. Walking among a group of stones, taking photos, and checking in, it's beautiful and a good exercise. In summer, you must take good sun protection measures, as your head will be exposed to the sun. We brought a child who was afraid of heat, so the shortest itinerary was probably completed in two hours.
The Red Stone Forest is not red, but the various shapes of the stone forest are worth a visit. The scenery is beautiful. It is similar to the Sobuya Stone Forest in Enshi, Hubei, but not as large as the Sobuya Stone Forest. Many ancient fossils can be seen on the stones. The ticket price is relatively expensive.
Jingmeiren Meimei, Song Zuying's cousin in the central square sings so well, and he is playing. The guide Gao Hui is very good. He explained carefully and took us to sing and dance. We had a great morning.
The Red Stone Forest National Geopark is worth visiting. The geological features are really rare, especially the stones have different shapes. When I went there, it was drizzling and the stones were black, which was also very beautiful. It is said that on sunny days, the stones are red, so it is called the Red Stone Forest. Wait for a chance to go and see it in good weather. It is worth a look.
Geological wonders The Red Stone Forest was formed in the Ordovician period about 450 million years ago. It is a rare red carbonate rock forest landform in the world. Color changes The color of the rock will show different tones with the weather and humidity: it is brown-red on sunny days, turns to deep red or purple-red after rain, and dark red on cloudy days. It is known as the "color-changing stone forest". Blending nature and humanity There are Tujia and Miao villages around the park, and tourists can experience the unique ethnic minority culture and geological wonders at the same time. Main attractions recommended Stone forest group: such as "air corridor", "giant array", "undersea maze", etc., with various shapes, suitable for photography. Underground caves: There are karst caves in some areas, with stalactites, underground rivers and other landscapes. Cliff plank road: The plank road built along the mountain wall overlooks the panoramic view of the stone forest, which is steep and magnificent. Ordovician stratigraphic profile: Geology enthusiasts can observe paleontological fossils and sedimentary structures. Rural scenery: The surrounding terraces and villages form a sharp contrast with the red stone forest, which is suitable for sketching or aerial photography. Travel experience Suitable for people: Geology enthusiasts, photography enthusiasts, natural landscape tourists, family parent-child tours (note that some areas are steep). Hiking difficulty: Overall medium, non-slip shoes are required, and some sections are steep. Visit time: It is recommended to arrange 3-4 hours, and it can be extended to half a day for in-depth tours or photography. Seasonal recommendations: Spring and autumn are best (April-May, September-October), sun protection is required in summer, and the color of the stone forest is brighter after rain. Practical information Tickets: About 120 yuan (including environmentally friendly vehicles), students and the elderly have discounts. Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 (seasonal adjustments may be made). Transportation: Self-driving: About 20 kilometers from Furong Town and about 100 kilometers from Zhangjiajie City, with good road conditions. Public transportation: Take a shuttle bus from Jishou or Furong Town to Guzhang County, and then transfer to the scenic area special line. Supporting facilities: There are simple meals and parking lots in the scenic area. It is recommended to choose Furong Town or surrounding homestays for accommodation. Advantages and disadvantages analysis Advantages: Unique geological landscape, both scientific value and ornamental. The flow of people is relatively less than that of popular scenic spots such as Zhangjiajie, and the experience is quieter. Combined with the culture of ethnic minorities in western Hunan, surrounding tours (such as Furong Town and Zuolong Gorge) can be arranged. Disadvantages: The transportation convenience is average, suitable for self-driving or chartered tourists. Some areas are not yet fully developed, and safety tips need to be paid attention to. Rainy weather may make the mountain roads slippery, so you need to walk carefully. Precautions Protect geological relics, and prohibit climbing and carving rocks. The weather in the mountainous area is changeable, so it is recommended to bring rain gear and sunscreen. Drone aerial photography requires consulting the scenic area policy in advance. Summary Hongshilin National Geopark is a "geological pearl" on the Xiangxi tourism line, suitable for travelers who pursue niche and in-depth tours. The combination of its red stone forest formed over millions of years and the humanistic customs of Xiangxi provides tourists with a unique dual experience of nature and culture. If you have planned a Xiangxi itinerary (such as visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Town, and Zhangjiajie), you can use Hongshilin as a supplementary attraction to experience the shock of geological changes.
The first day I went to Furong Town, the next day I went to Redstone Forest. I am timid, so when there are few tourists, many attractions dare not go, and I must miss a lot of beautiful scenery. The places I have seen are good. When traveling around, you can go to this attraction, it is worth it! Bring your own water and food. There are really not many canteens in the scenic area, and it is not convenient to buy things.
In Guzhang County, Xiangxi, there is a unique red stone forest. Hongshilin is located in Hongshilin Town, Guzhang County, Xiangxi, Hunan Province. It faces Furong Town across the Youshui River. It is a pearl on the Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Tourism Golden Corridor. It is the only red carbonate stone forest in China and the only red carbonate rock forest scenic spot formed in the Cambrian period in the world. It was approved as a national geological park in 2005.